Hugo González Perfect from Three as Celtics Rout 76ers 144-106

Hugo González didn't miss a single three-pointer. The Madrid native went 4-for-4 from beyond the arc and finished with 17 points in the Celtics' victory over the 76ers (144-106), his best showcase yet in a preseason where he's looking to secure a permanent spot in Boston's rotation. He didn't play in the decisive stretch, which was decided well before the end, but made the most of his minutes like players who want more: without hesitation and without missing.

The game had context that went beyond individual playing time. It was the first matchup between Boston and Philadelphia since the Game 7 that eliminated the Celtics in the first round of the last playoffs. Additionally, Jaylen Brown was on the other side, traded to the Sixers in July. Brown didn't play, nor did Joel Embiid or LeBron James, and Boston, which did take the court with nearly its full roster, turned the night into a showcase.

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Philadelphia started strong, with an 0-8 run and VJ Edgecombe (19 points) as their best player, but the second quarter changed everything. Paul George, in his first game with the Celtics, focused on forcing turnovers and finished with five steals in 24 minutes. Payton Pritchard, the leading scorer with 25 points, punished from three-point range, and Jayson Tatum got hot, finishing with 23. A 39-22 second quarter gave Boston a 63-42 halftime lead, and the Celtics entered the fourth quarter with a 35-point advantage.

That's when the best of the second unit appeared, with Hugo leading the way. Luka Garza added several points off offensive rebounds and Boston reached a 44-point lead. The physical difference was summed up on the boards: 70 rebounds for the Celtics versus 41 for the 76ers. The two teams will face each other again on Friday, once more in preseason, before their first official matchup on November 10 in Philadelphia.